Balboa Mist vs Inspired Lilac
Balboa Mist (Benjamin Moore) and Inspired Lilac (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Balboa Mist reads as beige-greige, while Inspired Lilac reads as purple-red — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 5-point LRV gap — 71 for Inspired Lilac vs 66 for Balboa Mist — means Inspired Lilac will open up a space more effectively. Where Balboa Mist leans red, Inspired Lilac reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 11.1 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Balboa Mist vs Inspired Lilac in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Balboa Mist and Inspired Lilac in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Inspired Lilac has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Inspired Lilac has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Balboa Mist vs Inspired Lilac Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balboa Mist on one side and Inspired Lilac on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Balboa Mist comparisons
See how Balboa Mist stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
